I guess you know that there is typically no overnight parking allowed on the Tioga Road this late in the season. That would preclude any trip starting or ending up there. I guess you also know that there is some light snow accumulated up high, and more could happen in a hurry.

So, I suggest the safer places to go would be at lower elevation. Chilnualna Falls or Hetch Hetchy. Some areas recently burned west and north of Hetch Hetchy, but it ought to be normal toward LeConte Point. Maybe the Pohono Trail if you want to stay closer to the Valley.

"But if you enough time to get to the Onion Valley trailhead you could head into the heart of SEKI. But check the weather first."

Or, if you're really time constrained, head up into either Sabrina Basin or over Piute Pass into Humphreys Basin, due west of Bishop. It would be an hour less driving than Onion Valley and put you into some beautiful country that is highly accessible and also likely to be almost deserted this time of year. Both are also easy to bail from if the weather turns bad in a hurry, particularly Sabrina Basin.

Clouds Rest as a weekend hike from the Valley is totally doable, in fact it is a great time to go because it will not be crowded at all this late in the season.Drive to Yosemite and stay at Camp 4 on Friday night as the backpackers camp is closed for the season. Saturday hike up to Clouds Rest, enjoy the view, then hike back down a couple of miles to Clouds Rest Pinnacles. The Pinnacles has cool rock formations, an awesome view and a great camp spot. No water though, so load up when you have the chance.Or continue down to the Clouds Rest / JMT junction, go north a little ways and then step off the trail and go discover / camp at Moraine Dome. Again no water but great views and the dome will be all yours.Watch the weather report. Be prepared for snow and cold even if the weather man says differently. Have fun!

I love east side entries like N lake, Sabrina, etc but I'm leaving from San Jose at around noon Fri. (Darn work) This limits my options to places within 4-5 hours drive tops, and limits my first night camp options to 4-5 miles from the trailhead if I'm lucky.

So ALL little yosemite valley is closed for backpacking? That would blow my first trip idea of little yosemite valley night 1, summit clouds rest day 2 and camp at JMT/clouds rest junction. Wish I knew what the snow situation was up there.

Looking into Pahono trail on Bobs suggestion and seriously considering it. Idea so far:Day 1: Arrive at TunnelView trailhead 4pm ish. Hike in 4-5 miles max before dark.Water? Good campsites?

Day 2: Hike out to Glacier point, have lunch, and camp somewhere on the way back.Water? Campsites?Day 3: hike out.

Actually Little Yosemite Valley is NEVER closed, well barring a government shutdown of course.

The Happy Isles trail head is in the Valley, so easily accessible year round. The route up along Vernal and Nevada Falls has several variations, they close part of it and keep the rest open as the winter route.

If you are leaving the city by noon, drive fast, and hike hard you just might have enough time to reach the campground in LYV by nightfall on Friday. Can't guarantee that you will be the only one up there, but pretty likely. Very different from the zoo that this place is in the summer.

If you are feeling up for a long hike on Saturday, head up to Clouds Rest, then down the other side and camp at one of the Sunrise Lakes.

Sunday morning hike the short hike down the switchbacks to Tenaya Lake on the Tioga Road. Hitch a ride back to your car in Yosemite Valley. This would only work of course as long as the Tioga road is still open. In snow it would be a long hike back to the Valley from Sunrise lakes. Adjust your plans to the weather, and still be prepared and equipped for snow and cold.

First, you have to drive to the park. Then you have to get a wilderness permit, probably from the Valley permit station. Once at the Tunnel and get started, you have to go straight uphill on the Pohono Trail. There might be water anywhere, but the only semi-dependable water is at Bridalveil Creek.

Last month, my GF and I scored wilderness permits (with Half Dome)the day we showed up, Sept 22. We parked at Sunrise (on Tioga) around 4pm Sunday, hit Clouds Rest and Half Dome on Monday (bivied that night on the sub-dome at the base of the cables), and hiked into the valley on Tuesday. Hitched back to Sunrise (1.5 hr) no problems. Just an idea.

Alrighty I spoke to a ranger today. Little yosemite valley is open. It's also snow free up to the top of clouds rest and expected to stay that way all weekend. I'll dress warm in case of a last minute storm, but I'll be leaving the ice axe and crampons at home. Only bringing yaktrax just in case. The only confirmed water source is in LYV. He warned me that between LYV and clouds rest it may be dry depending on the condition of sunrise creek.Anyone been up there recently?